Nissan put a charge in to attendees at this year's Tokyo Motor Show with its new Leaf Nismo concept.
Auto shows are busy times for all involved, but Nissan appears to be ready to work itself into a real tizzy with all of its announcements coming from the biennial Tokyo Motor Show.
The automaker introduced the Canto, an electric concept vehicle aimed at younger buyers with a musical bent. Canto comes from the Latin “I sing” and this model employs different sounds depentined upon what it’s doing, such as accelerating, decelerating or backing up.
“An important element of Nissan Intelligent Mobility is how the vehicle integrates with society, and a crucial component of that is sound,” said Daniele Schillaci, executive vice president for global marketing and sales, zero-emission vehicles and the battery business.
“‘Canto’ has been developed to help with pedestrian safety, as well as to provide a distinct Nissan sound – one that is energizing and confident, authentic to our brand and representing our unique position in the electrified marketplace.”
(Nissan IMx Concept is quicker than GT-R on batteries. For more, Click Here.)
The sounds are activated at speeds of up to 20 to 30 kph, depending on local laws. While providing pedestrians with a “warning” sound, the Canto’s emissions are designed to “enrich the aural environment of the typical city street with a distinct Nissan flair.” In short: it’s loud enough to hear but not so much so that it’s disturbing.
Nissan announced it plans to join Formula E racing in 2018 with this teaser photo.
In addition to making sure it’s vehicles can be heard, the automaker unveiled some of its early results as it attempting to become the world’s leading electric vehicle automaker. It rolled out the IMx Concept that put out 429 horsepower and a range of 373 miles on a charge.
It brought some of that high-speed tech to its latest Nismo variant: the Nissan Leaf Nismo. The new concept expresses the benefits of Nissan Intelligent Power, where clean and efficient electric technology is blended with the exciting driving dynamics that characterize Nismo, Nissan proclaims.
(Click Here for TDB’s first drive in the 2018 Nissan Leaf.)
With a sporty exterior, the look matches the performance featuring a vehicle that sticks to the road with excellent power. Looking good on the inside too, the black interior features Nismo’s signature red accents, creating an exciting, high-performance feel.
The company is going full monty on electrification, if you will, as Nissan announced it plans to participate in Formula E this season.
“As the ultimate expression of the thrill of instant acceleration and agile handling that’s at the heart of Nissan zero-emission driving, Nissan is going to electrify the Formula E championship,” Schillaci said.
(To see more about Nissan’s future electrification plans, Click Here.)
Nissan will enter the series from late in 2018, when the all-electric championship will introduce new chassis and battery regulations.